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Duke University Settles Research Fraud False Claims Act Allegations for $112.5 Million

On March 25, 2019, the Department of Justice announced a large settlement with Duke University for False Claims Act (“FCA”) allegations related to fraud in connection with federal grants. Duke will pay the government $112.5 million to resolve allegations that it violated the FCA through the submission of various applications […]

Whistleblower Awarded More Than $2 Million By Commodity Futures Trading Commission

An individual whistleblower who provided information about fraud to the Commodity Futures Trading Commission (“CFTC”) was just awarded more than $2 million for information that led to both a CFTC action and a related action brought by another federal agency. The whistleblower’s contribution included significant assistance in analyzing complex market […]

What is Best Price Fraud?

“Best Price” is a term used in connection with Medicaid reimbursement for brand name prescription drugs. Essentially, a drug manufacturer is required to charge Medicaid no more than whatever its best (lowest) price is to a non-government (or commercial) payor. Because Medicaid does not buy drugs outright and furnish them […]

What is Customs Fraud?

Customs fraud is a catch-all term for frauds committed by companies trying to evade payments that are owed to the federal government in connection with the importation of goods into the United States. While there are many variations, the two major types of payments that are in play for imported […]

Objective Falsity Requirement Under the False Claims Act

Can a False Claims Act case go forward where the only evidence of whether the services at issue were medically necessary are two competing and opposing medical opinions? In a prior blog, we discussed recent holdings in AseraCare I, AseraCare II and Vista Hospice[1].  The main issue addressed in those […]